In November, Chris Marchant, who played a vital role in raising standards of ready-to-run ‘N’ gauge models, died. MARK CHIVERS meets with BEN ANDO who recalls Chris’ immense and groundbreaking contribution to railway modelling.
Above: CJM’s Chris Marchant at his work bench. CJM Collection.
Chris Merchant founded CJM Models (CJM) in 1987, long before the highly-detailed ‘N’ gauge models that we now take for granted.
At the time, detailing was fairly (often very) basic with little competition in the marketplace and, frustrated with the quality of ‘off-the-shelf’ products, Chris set about producing high quality repaints and hand-assembled, detailed models of his own.
Initially, Chris’ new company was based in his garage and comprised a selection of repainted Graham Farish ‘N’ gauge models which he sold through his local model shop in Kent. These proved popular with like-minded modellers who snapped them up – and so began the process of improving ‘N’ gauge standards for ready-to-run. As the business developed, Chris moved to new premises in the early 1990s and, together with long-time collaborator Bernard Taylor of Taylor Precision Models, began expanding his own bespoke range of ready-to-run ‘N’ gauge models with cast resin body s…
